Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 655,3). v Patented Aug. 7, I900.

E. F. SMITH;

AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Sept, 2; 1899.)

(No Model.)

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWVARD F. SMITH, OF CINCINNATI, OI-IIOJ ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 655,310, dated August 7, 1900. Application filed September 2, 1899. Serial No. 729,301. (Nomodel-l To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD F. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Oincinnati, Hamilton county, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Acetylene-Gas Generators; and I do declare the following to be a description thereof sufficiently c1ear,full, and exact to enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, attention being called to the accompanying drawings, with the reference-numerals marked thereon, which form also a part of this specification.

This invention relates to generators for producin g acetylene gas, which, as is well known, is evolved by combining water and certain chemicals like, for instance, carbid of calcium. The desired result-to wit, production of gas-may be obtained by supplying either to the other, and in the present case the water is supplied to the chemical.

The great desideratum in the operation of generators of gas, and particularly of acetylene gas, is to obtain a steady flame. This requires gas of uniform pressure, which can only be obtained if the generation proceeds in a ratio proportional to consumption, which means a corresponding proportional supply of one of the gas-producing components to the other.

My invention consists of certain means and their construction whereby the water is supplied to the carbid in a manner which is commensurate to the consumption of gas at the burners, so that the gas remains at a uniform pressure, causing a steady flame to prevail at the burners at all times.

In the following specification, and particularly pointed out in the claims at the end thereof, is found a full description of my invention, together with its operation, parts, and construction, which latter is also illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows my improved generator complete in a vertical central section. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same with parts broken away. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the water-compartment. Fig. i is a horizontal section through the carbid-compartment. Fig. 5 shows in elevation a modified arrangement of the generator.

My improved generator consists, substantially, of a receptacle for carbid and one for water, each accessible to receive its respective supply and both communicating with each other by certain instrumentalities, whereby the water is supplied to the carbid at a uniform pressure and at a ratio which is proper and commensurate with the consumption of gas. For the sake of convenience in construction and for reasons of appearance I place the water-receptacle 5 directly above the carbid receptacle 6 and have them of even size and diameter, so that when in position the two form practically one vessel divided horizontally by a diaphragm 7. The two receptacles may be permanently connected,in which case a fill-opening would have to be provided for the .lower receptacle, or they may be connected by a suitable joint permitting detachmentas for instance, by a bayonet-joint, as shown in Fig. 1, or by a screw-joint, as shown in Fig. 5. I11 such case diaphragm 7 forms a part of the upper compartment, being the bottom thereof, so that as soon as disconnected the lower compartment becomes accessible to receive its supply. The generation proceeds in the lower com partment 6 by admission to the carbid therein of water from the upper receptacle 5. The generated gas discharges through outlet-pipe 8, supplying the burner connected therewith. Since the ratio of generation is dependent on the quantity of the water admitted to the carbid, it follows that by controlling such admission such generation is correspondingly controlled, and by using the pressure of the generated gas for such purpose it is clear that the admission of water and generation of gas are directly dependent on, and therefore proportional to, the consumption of the latter. For such purpose the admission of water is regulated in this way, that a certain determined gas-pressure opposes 'and balances at corresponding pressure of water seeking admittance,and which admittance is effected as soon as such gas-pressure declines, andit proceeds until accelerated generation has restored the balance of pressures. A steady flame requires also that this pressure he maintained at a stage which irrespective of the momentary fluctuations during generation is constant in average, for which purpose the disturbing influence of the constantly-decreasing waterpressure due to the declining supply in receptacle 5 must be overcome. For such purpose Iprovide an intermediate water-receiver, the limited contents of which are only used to oppose and balance the gas-pressure and which contents are maintained at a certain fixed stage by a constant supply from compartment 5, without, however, being in any way afiected by the decline of this latter. For such purpose I provide the intermediate cup-shaped receiver 9, which is so arranged that the water discharges therefrom by an ascending branch or level, thus enabling the gas by pressing upon this latter to control such discharge. This manner of discharging the water is by means of a straight pipe 11, which starts from diaphragm 7 on down and terminates above the bottom of cup 9. The discharge from this latter takes place through openings 12, located above the lower end of pipe 11. Such discharge is manually controlled for purposes of starting operations by controlling the supply of cup 9 through pipe 11 and which is done by a valve 13, accessible from the outside by means of a knob 14. To prevent the decreasing pressure of the declining water-supply in compartment 5 from being felt in the operation of the generator, such influence is removed by means re ducing the quantity of water lying before the entrance of pipe 11,but maintaining this body of water at such reduced quantity. This is done by a chamber 15, set off within compartment 5 above the entrance to pipe 11 and communicating with the former through an opening 16 near the bottom 7 of said compartment. The water in chamber 15 cannot rise above the upper edge of opening 16 on account of the air imprisoned above, and thus the pressure of water counteracting the gas-pressure is limited to the pressure of a column the upper end of which is even with the upper edge of opening 16.

Generation is started by operating knob 14' to admit water to enter cup 9 through pipe 11, which water overflows through openings 12 and evolves gas as soon as it comes in contact with the carbid in compartment 6 below. Too rapid generation will at once be checked by the increase in pressure, which bears on top of the water in cup 9 and forces the same below openings 12. As a guard against excessive pressure which cannot be controlled in this manner I provide an outlet-opening 17, through which such excess may escape, passing through pipe 11, provided the pressure is sufficiently strong to depress the water-level until it reaches the lower end of said pipe. This outlet 17 becomes open as soon as knob 14 is manipulated to open valve 13 and requires no special attention. WVhen so open, this outlet does not interfere with the maintenance of the low water-level in chamber 15, since all admission of air to compartment 5 is completely out off, fill-opening 18 having been closed. During filling of com- 7 below the top of opening 16.

water-supply to the generator more steady partment 5 knob 14 should be down, so as to close this opening 17 air-tight. To obtain such an air-tight closure, it is preferable to line the under side of knob 14: with a washer 19, of soft material, which washer moves with the knob.

The water-supply in chamber 15 is maintained constant, being fed from compartment 5, the water in which enters chamber 15 as soon as the level in the latter sinks slightly To render the and avoid noticeable fluctuations in the gaspressure, I provide wicks 21, supported in openings 12, the inner ends of which dip into cup 9, from which they raise the water by capillary attraction, the same dripping off on the outside, and thus reaching the carbid in compartment 6. The overflow through openings 12, first referred to, takes place usually only at the beginning of generation, lasting until water and gas pressures are about balancing each other, after which the supply is altogether by wicks 21, the regulation bewhich space is occupied by cup 9 when the parts are in position. The water leaves said tube through openings 23. 7

20 indicates packing interposed between the 7 two receptacles to obtain a gas-tight joint.

Valve 13 is simply a needle-valve held by means of a screw connection within the bore of a plug 24, secured to the top of thedevice. The seat of this valve is contained in another plug 25, secured todiaphragm 7 and serving also as a means for connecting pipe 11 and cup 9 in place. The carbid is preferably held down and prevented from shifting about by means of a lid 26, bearing on top of the same,- with a spring 27 above it, which furnishes the necessary pressure. As an additional means to hold the flame steady I provide an equalizer, being substantially a rubber bag 28, (see Fig. 1,) communicating with the device anywhere where it may obtain gas under pressure. As shown, it is connected by means of a nipple to outlet-pipe 8. At excess of IIO pressure part of the gas is received by this anylamp to be used as a carbid-receiver and generator, to which the water-receptacle is attached by a screw-joint.

This generator is particularly well adapted for small lighting devices like, bicycle-lamps, and when so used it is provided with a lug 29 for attachment.

Having described my invention, I claim as new 1. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination of a water-receptacle and a carbidreceptacle, the two detachably connected, the latter receptacle below the former, a tube 22, projecting upwardly from the bottom of the carbid-receptaole, a cup 9 depending from the bottom of water-receptacle into this tube, outlet-openings in this latter and in cup 9 and a pipe 11 supplying this latter from the water-receptacle.

2. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination of a receptacle for water and one for carbid, a diaphragm between the two, a cup 9, secured to and depending from the under side of the latter into the carbid-receptacle and provided with lateral outlet-openings 12,

a compartment set off in the water-receptacle and communicating therewith by an opening 16, a pipe 11 attached to diaphragm 7 and connecting the lower part of compartment 15 with the lower part of cup 9, and wicks supported in openings 12, depending into cup 9, and reaching outside into the carbid-receptacle. .3. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination of a receptacle for Water and one for carbid, a diaphragm separating the two, a cup 9 open to the carbid-receptacle, a compartment 15 set off in the water-receptacle and communicating therewith by an opening 16, an outlet-pipe from compartment 15 communicating with cup 9, a valve controlling this communication provided on the outside with a knob 14 for manipulation and a vent-opening 17 below this knob, the operation being such, that manipulation of this latter, for the purpose of operating the valve, controls at once the aforesaid communication as well as passage through opening 17.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD F. SMITH. Witnesses:

FRED EGGERS, C. SPENGEL. 

